WU football set to open season against Lindenwood

Bods expect tough test from Lions

With skill and experience at key positions, Washburn has the tools to expect big things this season.

But the same holds true for nearly every other team in the rugged MIAA, including Washburn's first opponent, the Lindenwood Lions.

The Ichabods’ venture through the all-inclusive conference schedule starts against a rejuvenated Lindenwood team at 6 p.m. Thursday in Yager Stadium.

“It seems like (the season) takes forever to get here, and now everybody’s anxious to put it all in motion and see what we got,” Washburn senior left tackle Dylan Ready said. “Everybody comes in confident like, ‘Oh, we’re going to do this, we’re going to do that.’ Well, it’s time to put up or shut up and see who actually has the backing to do what they say they want to do.”

Despite finishing 3-6 and losing its final five games last year, Lindenwood isn't lacking for confidence.

“We’re probably the most optimistic 3-6 team in the country,” Lions coach Patrick Ross said at MIAA media day last month. “We feel we’re going to be very successful and have a lot of wins and a lot of success. Our plan is to have an opportunity to play in 15 games and win that last one.”

The optimism stems from the return of 17 starters (nine on offense, eight on defense).

Lindenwood junior quarterback Dillon Miller, son of former NFL quarterback Jim Miller, threw for 2,334 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. The Lions also return a starter at every other skill position.

“Their strength of their team, I would think, is their speed at the skill positions,” Washburn coach Craig Schurig said. “They’re fast at receiver and running back, and I would imagine that fits into their game plan. You can compile the whole offense off that (speed). You can fake the bubble, you can run screens and all kinds of things.”

Washburn had trouble containing the Lions’ passing attack in last season’s 44-35 win, surrendering 327 yards through the air. The bulk of the yardage came off screens and bubble passes.

“They have a lot of playmakers that are fast and can move,” said linebacker Cody Heiman, one of eight new starters on the WU defense. “I think if we eliminate the big plays and stay assignment sound, we’ll be alright.”

The Ichabods will look to capitalize on their size advantage up front. All five of WU's starters on the offensive line are listed at least 285 pounds.

“We’re big up front, particularly on the offensive line, and we’ve got depth on the defensive line,” Schurig said. “We hope that we can wear teams out up front, and that usually helps you in the fourth quarter, for sure.”

“I think a major emphasis this game will be establishing the run game — that way we can open up the pass game,” said Moore, who is 1,036 yards from becoming the school’s all-time leading rusher. “We need to get going right from the start.”